Is there a test for perimenopause?

[redcherrie]

Curious if I am too young to start peri or not. I’m 36, 37 soon.

My main issue is being very dry, which is now becoming sore. When it first happened I thought it was thrush but doctor confirmed it wasn’t and sent me on my way (with nothing else).

The dry and itchiness comes before my period is due mainly.

Along with this, I’m having such broken sleep. I’m exhausted. I keep waking around 3am every night and even though I’m tired I can’t fall back to sleep very well.

I am suffering with such achy joints and bones; especially my back which I am having physio for.

I am now curious if these symptoms could be peri and if there’s a way to know for sure? The dry vulva/vagina is driving me insane!

Sex drive is low also but has been since I breastfed our youngest and hasn’t really come back yet.

Thank you! X

I recall that I had a blood test to check whether I had stopped ovulating or not, so yes - I believe that your GP can organise a blood test for you.

No there’s not, since hormones fluctuate so much. It’s symptom based.

Ah, conflicting! I’m exhausted at the moment.

Sorry!

In my case, I was in my 40s and wanted to know whether there was any chance that I could still conceive. My GP organised the blood test and told me that I was still ovulating. When she gave me that result, she hesitated as if to add something else (about my age, I presume) but then stopped.

How long ago did you stop breast feeding?

You can be tested for peri if you're young.

Blood tests are done for women under 45. Two tests, between Day 2 and 5 of your cycle, a month apart.

You need to see a fertility specialist , either through your GP or privately if the wait is too long. Fertility not because you might want another baby but to diagnose premature menopause if that is what's going on- because you'd need HRT (that's the standard treatment.)

Did your mum have an early menopause?

Premature meno is before 40, early meno is before 45 (menopause being the very last period.)

Blood tests are not done on women over 45.

They are done on younger women to diagnose POI (premature ovarian failure = premature menopause.)